CRICKET: England will discover for sure today whether they have avoided Australia in the ICC World Twenty20 semi-finals -- but can be confident they have done all in their power to do so.

Dubliner Eoin Morgan and man of the match Tim Bresnan were to the fore yesterday as Paul Collingwood's team claimed a three-wicket success against New Zealand and completed their Super Eight programme as unbeaten group winners. Thursday's semi-final will be against the runners-up in Group F, with Australia looking certain to top the group even if they lose to West Indies today.

Weylandt takes Giro stage three

cycling: Belgium's Wouter Weylandt was the surprise winner of the third stage of the Giro d'Italia yesterday as Alexandre Vinokourov seized the overall lead.

Britain's Bradley Wiggins, who held the pink leader's jersey after day one, was involved in a pile-up for the second day.

Astana's Vinokourov came through to finish eighth on the day, good enough to lift him to the top of the overall standings.

Ireland's Daniel Martin got caught up in the chaos and finished in a large group almost eight minutes down.

Texas ticket is Kearney dream

Golf: Ballyliffin's Thomas Kearney has been handed a dream invitation to tee it up in this week's Valero Texas Open on the PGA Tour.

The 26-year-old graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio will make his PGA Tour debut alongside Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Vijay Singh, John Daly and former Masters champion Zach Johnson, who is bidding to win the title for the third year in a row.

Hamilton's high hope for helmet

F1: Lewis Hamilton is hoping a new helmet design will lead to a change of fortune ahead of what he believes could be "the most exciting Monaco Grands Prix for many years".

"I'll be wearing a specially painted helmet," said Hamilton. "When you see it you'll know why I'll be hoping for it to swing the odds in my favour."